title: [Induction of occupational leucoderma and vitiligo. Can butylated hydroxytoluene induce vitiligo similarly to p-tert-butylphenol?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While vitiligo is usually idiopathic, some cases are caused by chemicals. If occupational exposure to p-tert-butylphenol (ptBP) leads to vitiligo, the legal requirements for occupational disease Nr. 1314 can be fulfilled in Germany. Chemicals of similar structure can induce local and more widespread symmetrical depigmentation with genital involvement, making the differential diagnosis more complicated. Occupationally caused depigmentation from other chemicals can also be treated according to § 9 sec. 2 of the occupational disease regulations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Some substances can cause leukoderma only in animals; others in animals and humans; in some cases systemic vitiligo-like changes develop. The effects on human skin cannot always be predicted from the structural analogies of the involved chemicals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on a case of occupational exposure to butyl hydroxytoluene with possible induction of vitiligo, a careful updated literature analysis of substances inducing depigmentation is presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The literature contains discrepancies in the evidence for the ability of some substances-especially BHT-to cause vitiligo. A more exact analysis indicates that BHT does not cause vitiligo or leukoderma.
authors.affiliation: Abtl. für klinische & experimentelle Berufsdermatologie, Institut für Prävention und Arbeitsmedizin der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung, Institut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum. broding@ipa.ruhr-uni-bochum.de
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Broding
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Monsé
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brüning
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fartasch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000633:toxicity*; D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene / Q000633:toxicity*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D010636:Phenols / Q000633:toxicity*; D014495:Universities; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene; C006862:butylphen